Friday, May 4, 2012

In November of last year, I covered the impending release of theBlu.com, an intriguing interactive concept that combined the talents of leading digital artists with major ocean conservation groups to provide an online showcase for the public to both view the wide range of beauty and diversity in the oceans and generate needed support for conservation.

At the time, it was to be released online within a few weeks. As is often the case with many new and ground-breaking ventures, time schedules can be fickle things. So, while several weeks turned into several months, theBlu.com has now finally been launched amidst some interesting video fanfare publicity.

Today, in Times Square, New York City, a five-minute sample of theBlu is being displayed every 30 minutes on the NASDAQ and Thomas Reuter video screens from 5:00 until 11:00pm. For those of you who don't happen to be wandering the streets of the Big Apple at that moment, you can download from theBlu.com's website their screensaver app or get a promotional discount on the pro version software.

Wemo Media, the Venice, CA-based entertainment studio, today
announced the launch of "theBlu," possibly the largest globally
shared art and entertainment experience ever created. Inspired by the
world's oceans, "theBlu" is a living and breathing digital art
exhibit of ocean habitats and species, created by artists and
developers from all over the world. This social exploring experience
is currently available as a downloadable app for PC and Macintosh
computers at theblu.com.

"theBlu" turns the Internet into a globally-connected 3D digital
ocean wherein every species and habitat is an original work of art
created by a worldwide community of artists, animators and
developers, including Academy Award(R) winners Andy Jones and Kevin
Mack, and students alike.

Exploring "theBlu" is as easy as browsing the web and includes
information about species, exploration of geo-located habitats,
in-ocean tagging of fish, the purchase of species to grow your
collection and customize your experience, social activity streams,
event and photo sharing, and ocean life swimming from user to user
across the Internet, creating real-time social interaction.

How it works: Participating non-profit collaborators sponsor
"ambassador" species or habitats in "theBlu" and users of "theBlu"
are offered the opportunity to purchase these "ambassador" species or
habitats for their virtual ocean environment. Twenty-five percent
(25%) of the purchase price of these virtual species or habitats goes
directly to the non-profit collaborators to fund projects that
support their work in the real ocean environment. The program is also
designed to increase awareness and reach for collaborating
organizations and their conservation efforts. Users of "theBlu" have
the opportunity to effect real change for the world ocean.

No comments:

Welcome to the RTSea Blog!

The RTSea Blog was started in 2008 and now includes over 950 entries available for media or academic background research use, including observations on a wide range of topical issues and events involving the oceans, sharks, and nature in general. After a brief break in 2012-13, there will now be more posts forthcoming.

Use keywords in the Search tool below or at the bottom of this web page to locate articles of interest.

Cinematographer/media consultant & producerRichard TheissandRTSea Mediaadministers this blog with the intent that information will be disseminated across the Internet and, in so doing, will illuminate others as to the serious challenges that lay before us in preserving and protecting our natural resources.

Search This Archive

Richard Theiss - DP/Media Consultant & Producer

Available for HD video assignments, media consulting, and speaking engagements. For contact information, click on the image above.